Robert Schumann : herald of a "new poetic age"

In Robert Schumann: Herald of a "New Poetic Age," John Daverio presents the first comprehensive study of the composer's life and works to appear in nearly a century. Long regarded as a quintessentially romantic figure, Schumann also has been portrayed as a profoundly tragic one: a composer who began his career as a genius and ended it as a mere talent. Daverio takes issue with this Schumann myth, arguing instead that the composer's entire creative life was guided by the desire to imbue music with the intellectual substance of literature. A close analysis of the interdependence among Schumann's activities as reader, diarist, critic, and musician reveals the depth of his literary sensibility. Drawing on documents only recently brought to light, the author also provides a fresh outlook on the relationship between Schumann's mental illness - which brought on an extended sanitarium stay and eventual death in 1856 - and his musical creativity.Lire la suite...

The formation of a musico-literary sensibility --
Music as literature --
Music criticism in a new key --
Musical love letters in the higher and smaller forms --
Fierce battles and blissful songs --
The symphonic year, 1841 --
The chamber music year: 1842 --
The oratorio year: 1843 --
Schumann's new way --
The musical dramatist --
Unbounded creativity --
The final phase --
Epilogue: A place to recall Schumann and his music.

Résumé :

This work focuses on the work of the romantic composer Robert Schumann.Lire la suite...

Critiques

Critiques éditoriales

Synopsis de l’éditeur

does it significantly further our understanding of Schumann as man and, particularly, as musician? The answer is a resounding 'Yes' ... he assesses every work on its own terms, thus helping us to appreciate the amazing breadth of Schumann's inspiration ... this is an inspired book which should gladden the hearts and minds of Schumann lovers. One can only hope that it heralds a 'new poetic age' in Schumann literature. Steven Isserlis, BBC Music should be enthusiastically welcomed ... he is extremely helpful in his comments on the music ... Daverio's musical analyses, especially of the late works, are most helpful and perceptive. Charles Osborne, The Daily Telegraph ... it is one of the strengths of John Daverio's book that it devotes so much space to a sympathetic account of some sadly neglected works... / Misha Donat, LRB, 15/7/99Lire la suite...

"In Robert Schumann: Herald of a "New Poetic Age," John Daverio presents the first comprehensive study of the composer's life and works to appear in nearly a century. Long regarded as a quintessentially romantic figure, Schumann also has been portrayed as a profoundly tragic one: a composer who began his career as a genius and ended it as a mere talent. Daverio takes issue with this Schumann myth, arguing instead that the composer's entire creative life was guided by the desire to imbue music with the intellectual substance of literature. A close analysis of the interdependence among Schumann's activities as reader, diarist, critic, and musician reveals the depth of his literary sensibility. Drawing on documents only recently brought to light, the author also provides a fresh outlook on the relationship between Schumann's mental illness - which brought on an extended sanitarium stay and eventual death in 1856 - and his musical creativity."@en

"The formation of a musico-literary sensibility -- Music as literature -- Music criticism in a new key -- Musical love letters in the higher and smaller forms -- Fierce battles and blissful songs -- The symphonic year, 1841 -- The chamber music year: 1842 -- The oratorio year: 1843 -- Schumann's new way -- The musical dramatist -- Unbounded creativity -- The final phase -- Epilogue: A place to recall Schumann and his music."@en